cindy

Hi, Shelley - I'm still sitting here wishing I was back on the BI - and I wanted to throw in some words of encouragement about your plans. A trip up to the summit of Mauna Kea will be unforgettable. Just be aware that the high altitude might make everybody feel a little odd at first, but that's part of the fun. Also, when you go to the Volcano park, be sure to walk through the Thurston lava tube. It's delightful and definitely worth seeing. Have you been to South Point? The hike down to the green sand beach is extremely strenuous and not recommended, but the drive out to where they fish off the cliffs is lovely. You can look down from the top of the cliff (I don't know how many feet up you are, but it's quite a distance) and the water is so clear you can see the colourful fish down below. Akaka Falls and Rainbow Falls are gorgeous. (There's also a place called Peepee Falls; we drove there just to take a picture of the sign!) Enjoy.

Shelley

Hi Cindy! Your input has been fabulous and very helpful. Thank you so very much. My husband and I did visit South Point, but very briefly. Where is the green sand beach you speak of and where di you overlook the cliffs to see the fish? As I remember, it was toward the later part of the day as we were driving around the island. We didn't have much daylight time left as I recall, which is why we couldn't stay too long. I'm glad you mentioned something about Mauna Kea summit. That is something we've not yet done and I've been wanting to do that since I first visited the island in 1996. Please remember that our funds are limited, but I would appreciate your opinion of perhaps the 3 or 4 best activities for us to focus on during our stay. I'm thinking along the lines of Parasailing, the summit at Mauna Kea, the horseback ride in Waipio Valley, a day at Hapuna Beach and, if we can still aford it, a helicopter ride over the volcano. Also, can you recommend a really native luau for us to share with Tara? Do you know if the one at the King Kam is decent?

cindy

Hi, Shelley - When you drive towards South Point, you come to a place (just past those surreal-looking windmills) where there's a sign saying "information" and pointing off towards the left. If you go there, you'll find a small tourist info booth; that's the head of the trail down to the green sand beach. My daughter and her husband considered doing the hike, but even they felt it was too strenuous for them (and they're very healthy, active people in their mid-30's!)at that particular time. They might do it this year. If, when you see that "info" sign, you go right instead, you'll end up right by the cliffs. It's very windy and there's no shade, but it's beautiful and you can park very close to the cliffs. There are odd-looking structures that look like shacks, right at the edge of the cliffs; that's where people fish from (the shacks protect them from the wind). The rest of your plans sound great - definitely do the Mauna Kea trip. We went up just before sunset, and the guide brought his telescope; after dark, we drove back down to the Visitors Centre and he set the telescope up in the parking lot; we star-gazed while he got us a snack of hot chocolate and cookies! It's very cold up there; they have parkas in the van, but take an extra sweater along too. We were shivering! In terms of a helicopter ride - I was advised a long time ago that the ones that fly over the volcano are dangerous, because the volcanic fumes can interfere with the internal combustion engine on the copter. Later posts on this site indicated that this wasn't really true, and that the copters fly high enough that this isn't a problem; however, I've heard evidence on both sides. My own choice was not to do the helicopter trip. I haven't been to a luau, but from what I could see and what I've read, the one at the King Kam is considered one of the best. So the activities I'd pick - and in fact did pick when I was there this past March - would be: parasailing, Mauna Kea, Waipio Valley, Place of Refuge (that won't cost you anything),and Hapuna Beach. If you want suggestions about restaurants, let me know!

Shelley

Hey Cindy! If you are still on-line and you get this message, my handle is bubblypuppy on AOL instant mesenger if you also have AOL. I'm already signed on. In the meantime, I'll post another reply just after this responding to your last message. Please note my e-mail address at the top nex to my name on the initial posting and I'd be happy to communicate with you via e-mail. Ok?

Shelley

Thanks, Cindy, for your feedback on South Point and Mauna Kea. So you went up just before sunset? We were thinking of going just before sunrise to catch the sun coming up over the horizon. By the way, how much did you spend on this activity? The City of refuge was definitely on the list as well. It would be a great educational opportunity for Tara to see it. Our goal is to make the trip lots of fun and interesting, also. As for restaurants, we've really enjoyed going to Hugo's. It's a place a lot of the locals like to go to. The food is great and the view is awesome if you get a table right over the water. For a really special meal, we also love the Canoe House at Mana Lani. In 1996, Ken and I went to Jameson's, but have not been back there on our honeymoon trip. Ken and I are adventerous eaters, but Tara does not like Chinese food. But she will eat a good steak and fresh fish and she is a HUGE cheese and bread fan. Ken and I enjoy eating healthy and hearty.....hehehehehehe. I'd be open to other restaurant suggestions if you have any. There was only one bad experience we encountered in a restaurant over there - it was the Mexican one in Kona located on the second floor amidst all the shops. The service was not good and the food wasn't anything special either. There was another smaller Mexican restaurant down on the street level, but the service and food was much better. Can't remember the name though. Personally, Mexican and tropical cousines are my favorite.

Bl

Just a note on the Mauna Kea summit. My family will be on the BI in Sept and I want to do this also. The tours seem to run about $150 a person - way too much for a family of 4 so we plan to rent a 4x4 for that one day and go it alone. There is one place Harper's car rental that rents for the trip. It is about $110 for the day but better than $600 for 4 of us. Also children under 16 are not permitted past the visitors center from what I have read. But even the visitors center sounds like it is worth the trip. We are all over that age so hope to go all the way - if I don't chicken out!
Have a good trip I plan to. This is our second trip there and it is one of my favorite places on earth because it is so different.

Shelley

Thanks, BI, for your input on Mauna Kea. I'll be sure to check out these details when we inquire about the best way to tour it once we've arrived on the island. Feel free to keep up the feedback, folks!

Paula Poundstone

Aloha!

I'd be happy to look after your little girl while you are in Hawaii for you!
Can't we all just get along?

Shelley

Hi Paula! Thanks for your offer, but this trip we're doing is all for her! She is the reason why we are going - to give her some positive memories during an emotionally trying time in her young life. Appreciate the thought though.....

xxx

Shelly..Do you think you cut the drama and live your life in private.

Shirley

Hi, Shelley!
These days the Royal Kona Resort is in better condition than the King Kam Hotel...check out konaweb.com for info on the Big Island.
Have a great trip!

amused

I think Shelley missed the point of the "Paula Poundstone" post. But it was certainly really funny.

Shelley

Hi Shirley! Thanks for introducing me to Konaweb.com. I paid a brief visit to the site and I very much enjoyed what I saw. Unfortunately, I cannot change my lodging arrangements at this point, but I'm certain we'll be just fine at King Kam. I look forward to returning to konaweb.com to see what else I can learn. Thanks again.

I guess I missed the humor intended by Paula. Oh well.......

Shelley

Last call for any other ideas not yet discussed. My sincerest thanks to Cindy and others who contributed some wonderful thoughts and ideas for us to consider in our planning. Aloha!

Carey

Have a great trip!!!